Royston Town fell 1-0 to league leaders Kettering Town after a Dan Holman first-half tap-in on Saturday at Garden Walk.

Joe Welch: 9 - Forced into a few punches in the first-half, he was calm and composed between the sticks.

Gus Scott-Morriss: 7 – Was solid in possession and passed the ball well, but at times looked a little exposed by the visitor’s fast counter-attack. Replaced by Vance Bola early in the second-half.

Harold Joseph: 7 – Solid in centre-back before moving to right-back in the second-half.

Spyros Mentis: 9 – The Cypriot, who missed the first games of the season while finishing his national service, was filling in at centre-back in the high-pressure clash, away from his usual midfield role. But you wouldn’t have guessed it, as he put in an outstanding performance, rising to the occasion. The battling number four never stopped running, looked composed in possession and swept up calmly whenever needed. Pushed up into the midfield for the final 20 minutes.

Sam Corcoran: 6 – Didn’t look at fluid as usual and he missed some important chances in the first-half but he worked tirelessly all game. Off for Tyler Corlett after 70 minutes.

Daniel Braithwaite: 7 – Playing at right-back, the captain was solid in possession and defended well. Always a handful at corners, he moved to his more familiar centre-back role in the second half.

Josh Castiglione: 6 – In a physical battle, the diminutive midfielder was clattered a few times but battled hard and found space to create on the attack. Replaced by Jordan Norville-Williams in the second-half.

Scott Thomas: 6 – Playing in a more defensive midfield role, he did well to stop Kettering going through the middle but didn’t contribute much in possession.

David Mooney: 6 - Didn’t get the service he wanted in the first-half and looked a bit lost, as the Poppies tracked his every move. The Irishman wasn’t allowed a single shot.

James Potton: 6 – Not at his best in a disjointed Crows midfield.

Rohdell Gordon: 7 – His bursting runs didn’t get far as the Crows struggled to get in behind the Poppies.

Substitutes:

Vance Bola: 5 - Struggled to make an impact when he came on.

Jordan Norville-Williams: 7 - Loose in possession but did well defensively when he came on.

Tyler Corlett: 6 – Solid at the back in the final 20 minutes.

Kettering Town: Always counter-attacked quickly but struggled to keep possession in the first-half and looked to be edged by Royston despite the score-line. However, they stifled Dave Mooney expertly and improved in the second period, with some rapid changes of pace and disciplined defending. CrowSport picked Lindon Meikle as the Poppies man of the match. The midfielder worked tirelessly all game, and his strength, pace and precision passing started many of the visitors’ moves.